News

I had the most heart-warming conversation recently with Norman Whitfield. Many of you will remember his beautiful Passap knitting in MKM, including his ever-popular polo insert and necklines. He called to tell me that his grand-daughter, Nicole, has started a small craft business. It’s based online, with a presence on Facebook and Etsy. With help from grandpa and mum, Norman’s daughter Susan, Nicole has designed some dummy clips, knitted on his Passap E6000. She’s called her business Bairn Designs and you can read more on Page 9.

The family collaboration started some months ago, after Nicole had a dream. Norman has machine knitted for as long as Nicole can remember and, as a youngster, she sat on his knee helping to push and pull the locks. Over the years, they’ve worked on a number of small projects together, so Nicole spent a while wondering if her dream might come true. She always loved learning from her grandpa so, after months of them trying different stitch sizes and yarn weights, they’ve come up with the product in Newsline and there are lots of lovely colours. Most of all, Nicole has enjoyed spending time with her grandparents, popping over for lunch and to develop the product. I’m also sure Norman and his wife loved seeing their grand-daughter and great grandchildren, too! It’s a lovely family story and shows how our craft is truly being passed down through the generations.

Since my last letter, I’ve visited Silver Viscount in their new premises and, my goodness, the company has grown beyond all my expectations. Anyone thinking machine knitting has died should take a look at their stocks of knitting machines and accessories. There’s rack after rack piled top to bottom from floor to a very high ceiling. The pristine new boxes of sewing and knitting machines and every spare part imaginable are waiting to be dispatched. Long may they continue to distribute genuine and original Silver Reed knitting machines, accessories and parts. We all need to support Silver, to make sure our beloved craft remains sustainable for generations to come. One final thing to remind you is that whilst stocks last, Forsell Pure Wool is on sale with a staggering reduction of 50% on all cones, plus shipping at cost, of course. There’s 4-ply hand-wash at £5.31 for 500g and Slalom Aran at £8.43 for 1000g. Superwash 2-ply is £3.17 for 250g, 3-ply is £4.34 for 350g, 4-ply is £6.28 for 500g and DK is £7.66 for 500g. Call Jackie or Rosie now on 01933-311888 for full details and, most definitely, knit happy!

New subscription If you chose a new subscription, it will start with the December 2018 magazine – to be mailed out to subscribers on Thursday 1st November.

Subscription bundle If you chose a subscription bundle, it will start with the current issue, our November magazine and we’ll send you a copy straight away. Your magazine will then be mailed direct from the printer on the first Thursday of each month and the December 2018 issue goes out to subscribers on Thursday 1st November.

I hope that anyone who can come along to the knitting exhibition, Machine Knitting LIVE! in Bournemouth on the 6th of next month is making plans to spend the day amongst like minded enthusiasts. It had to be postponed at the beginning of March this year, due to the dreadful weather, so we have had to wait for our ‘fix’ of spares and yarn. I am just hoping that nothing else happens to disrupt proceedings, and that I can set up the usual demos at the end of the corridor.

Bournemouth School for Girls will welcome us all to Machine Knitting LIVE! next week. You’ll remember that we had to cancel the show at the beginning of March, when much of the country was covered in snow and ice. So many missed this great event and we’re delighted that our much-loved show will take place on Saturday 6th October 2018.

Bournemouth School for Girls in Castle Gate Close, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth BH8 9UJ and the show opens from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. The school is on the A3060 (Castle Lane West) and once you reach Castlepoint Shopping Centre on the right, continue straight. First left is East Way, then take the next left turn into Castle Gate Close. Everything is on one level so disabled access is easy. If you want to bring a non-knitting friend, Castlepoint is a good dropping off point for shopping and free parking.

Our exhibitors include Andee Knits bringing her shop to the show. She’ll have machines and accessories, books and patterns, spares and yarn. Anne Croucher is our machine expert and she’ll hold a Knit Clinic to help with any problems. Arnold Bennett is our button man and B Hague & Co Ltd bring all their linkers, twisters, winders and accessories. Bill King will have his machine and lots of samples to show you what to do and how to do many of his Masterclass techniques. David and Jason Hampson bring The Wool Cabin to the show with not-to-be-missed bargains on packs of quality yarns at knock-down prices. Designers Elaine Cater and Nina Miklin will bring their designs, books and patterns. The Guild of Machine Knitters will be there, as well as Wendy Piper and her Knits ‘n’ Bits selection of used machines and accessories at bargain prices. Nick Traylen will bring a huge selection of coned and balled yarn from Uppingham Yarns and Anne will have Machine Knitting Monthly current magazines, back issues, binders and Anjo Patterns.

We’ve displays and demonstrations from four knitting clubs – Carbery in Christchurch, Fleet in Hampshire, Middlesex and Ringwood with some wonderful ideas to inspire you.

Guest Speaker at 11.00 am is Fiona Morris, talking for the first time about her life in knitting and we’ve a Combined Fashion Show in the early afternoon compered by Carbery’s Joy Hopkins.

The School Canteen opens all day with hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks.

The first instalment of the King Cole crochet-along is now LIVE on their blog!

This blog-post includes all of the measurements andmaterials required to make the blanket. Click ‘1st Instalment’ to access the PDF which you are welcome to download & save to your device. The first of 6 fortnightly pattern instalments will be available from 8th October.

They also have a support Group: ‘King Cole #CAL’ within their Facebook Page, where they hope to grow a community of crocheters who will share their progress, ask any questions and keep up to date with news.

She’s a bit of a knitting geek and makes lots of hats, socks and toys – as well as anything you’d care to mention! She thought it was a great read and tells us she’s recently written her Ultimate Beginners Guide to Knitting. If you’d like to know a bit more about hand knitting, take a look at https://hobbyhelp.com/knitting/

With so many of us knitting on the Silver Reed LK150 and no ribber available, lots of us like to combine both skills by hand knitting the ribs and transferring the stitches to the LK150 for speed. Do check it out and we’re sure Rachel would be happy to help if you’ve any queries. Thanks a million for sharing Rachel.

We’ve heard this morning that Rachel Brooks is hosting a Machine-knitters’ knit-together – informal, non-commercial, social knit-along and skill-swap for Machine Knitters of any level – or those who’d like to learn.

Most participants stay for the weekend, which makes it very friendly. But if you are only able to come for one of the days or live locally and don’t want to stay over, that’s fine too. We held the first one in this venue in June/July, and hope and expect the second one to be just as good! It started in the main MK group on Ravelry, but is open to all. You must book your place ahead.

WHERE? Fladbury Village Hall, Worcestershire, WR10 2QB. Participants arrange their own accommodation, eg in one of the two village pubs.

NEAREST STATION: Evesham (4 miles) also Pershore.

PARKING: There are 12 parking places by the hall.

WHO? Primarily/originally Ravellers of any level of experience, with or without their machines. And if you have a friend who would like to come, that’s good too. Advance booking essential – we need to know numbers.

HOW MANY? That depends! Minimum about 5, maximum about 20-25, I reckon.

COST we will share the hall hire cost between us and expect it to be £10-£20 each, depending on numbers.

This 4+5-prong transfer tool is for 6.5 mm mid-gauge machines such as the Silver Reed LK150. The wooden tools are individually crafted and smoothly finished. Use either four or five prongs to move stitches or work wide fully-fashioned decreases along a raglan. By moving ten stitches at each decrease, you’ll have enough stitches for an edge stitch plus a stitch either side of a 3×3 cable and the decrease. With a pair of tools and a bit of bridging, you can also cross 4 or 5 stitch cables. Individual, 4 and 5-prong tools cost $18 each and the combination tool is $26 available exclusively at www.guagliumi.com

The Sep/Oct issue of News & Views from Country Knitting of Maine is now available on-line and includes a pattern from Susan Guagliumi, incorporating techniques from her new book Open Spaces. Dedicated to machine knitters, there are six issues a year and the full-colour PDF file is available for 60 days. Linda Williams is the only seller and the price for six issues is $46.99, around £35 in the UK. To find out more, contact Linda Williams, Country Knitting Of Maine, 351 White Schoolhouse Road, Madison, ME 04950-3202, USA.